Becoming A Mature Church

Becoming A Mature Church

Introduction

Often when we think of maturity, we think of those who have not grown to a level of expected discipline and character.

FCF: Spiritual Immaturity

Proposition: The Lord loves the Church and placed with in it gifts that will empower the Church to mature into what He desires.

The Process of Becoming A Mature Church (vs.11-13)

Through Gifts of leadership (vs.11)

Apostles-

Prophets-

Evangelist

Pastor/Teachers

Perfecting the Saints (vs.12)

equip and instruct; to bring to maturity (vs.12a)

So the question then is why must the pastor equip the saints?

for the work of the ministry (vs.12b)

the building of the body (vs.12c)

bringing unity to the body (vs.13a)

Christ Centered teaching (vs.13b)

mentoring those who are weaker (vs.13c)

teaching others to emulate Christ (vs.13d)

The Purpose of Becoming A Mature Church (vs.14-16)

That we are not easily swayed and manipulated with erroneous doctrine (vs.14)

To name a few unsound statements:

God won't put more on you . . .

the lions den was too much for Daniel to handle

the fiery furnace was too much for the Hebrew boys to handle

Prison was too much for Paul too handle

and things are often too much for us to handle

God helps those who helps themselves . . .

So that we are examples of our Faith (vs.15)

So that the Church looks like the body of Christ (vs.16)

fitly joined - denoted structure and organization. Every piece is where it is supposed to be. They each fit properly and according to the plan of God.

ILLUS: When I would do puzzles and I couldn't find where it was supposed to go, I would shave it on the edges so that it would go where i needed it to fit. But when I would finish the puzzle and look at it, I found that it looked different from that box cover. Likewise, it is the same way when we force things in the Church or attempt to go around God's structure. We cease to look like the Body of Christ.

Conclusion:

Spiritual Maturity brings God glory . . .